Turkey Caught In Middle Of Russian-Georgia Conflict

Turkish official expressed concern about the Russian-Georgia conflict which is creating tensions within its own country. Ethnic groups residing in Turkey which have connections to
Georgia or South Ossetia are placing pressure on the Turkish government to take its side in the dispute. On one hand, Russia is a major trading partner of Turkey, but, on the other hand, Turkey is a member of NATO which opposes the invasion. Experts in Turkey point out the current violence can be traced back to fragmentation which occurred when Kosovo broke away from Serbia which made the Russian government appear to be impotent in dealing with smaller areas that once had connections to the Soviet Union.

Turkey can not take sides without suffering economic punishment or creating internal tensions as ethnic groups in their own country seek to have Turkey take sides. The Turkish military has most probably given supplies to Georgia and rumors are circulating in Russia of potential further military support.

Georgia may well have had legitimate grievances against South Ossetia, but the decision to invade will eventually prove to have been a disastrous one. Georgia can not stand up against the might of Russia without the help of western nations. If such help is provided it will only result in creating a new Cold War.